Patient Education

A rare disorder of the esophagus, the muscular tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. It is characterized by enlargement of the esophagus, impaired ability to push food down toward the stomach (peristalsis), and failure of the ring-shaped muscle at the bottom of the esophagus, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), to relax. It is the contraction and relaxation of the sphincter that moves food through the tube.

Frequent loose bowel movements. Diarrhea is acute when it starts suddenly and clears up within a few days. Most people have diarrhea once in a while, usually after eating or drinking contaminated food or liquid or when they have stomach flu.

Diarrhea that doesn't go away after a few days or keeps coming back is called chronic. It may be a sign of other medical problems.

Diarrhea can be serious in very young children and older adults because it can cause dehydration (a loss of too much fluid from the body).

A tear in the lining of the lower rectum (anal canal) that causes pain during bowel movements. Anal fissures don't lead to more serious problems.

Most anal fissures heal with home treatment after a few days or weeks. These are called short-term (acute) anal fissures. If you have an anal fissure that hasn't healed after 8 to 12 weeks, it is considered a long-term (chronic) fissure. A chronic fissure may need medical treatment.

Anal fissures are a common problem. They affect people of all ages, especially young and otherwise healthy people. 

Sores, or ulcers, that tunnel through the intestine and into the surrounding tissue, often around the anus and rectum. These abnormal tunnels are a common complication of Crohn's disease and may become infected. 

Abnormal or enlarged blood vessels in the colon.

Abnormal or enlarged blood vessels in the gastrointestinal tract.

Abnormal or enlarged blood vessels in the small intestine.

A condition in which the tissue lining the esophagus, the muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach, is replaced by tissue that is similar to the lining of the intestine. This process is called intestinal metaplasia.

No signs or symptoms are associated with Barrett's esophagus, but it is commonly found in people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A small number of people with Barrett's esophagus develop a rare but often deadly type of cancer of the esophagus.

Abdominal fullness or bloating occurs when excess gas builds up in the digestive tract.

The vomiting of blood.

Also called esophageal cancer, is a tumor or abnormal growth of cells in the muscular tube that connects your throat to your stomach. This tube is called the esophagus.

Cancer of the esophagus is uncommon. Most often people who get it are middle-aged or older. It is more common in men than in women. African-Americans are also more likely to get this kind of cancer.

A yeast infection in your esophagus.

The twisting of the cecum and ascending segment of the colon. Normally, the cecum and ascending colon are fixed to the internal abdominal wall. If not, they can move and become twisted. The main symptoms of cecal volvulus are crampy abdominal pain and swelling that are sometimes associated with nausea and vomiting.

A digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate a protein called gluten, found in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten is found mainly in foods, but is also found in products we use every day, such as stamp and envelope adhesive, medicines, and vitamins.

The obstruction or interruption of bile flow from the liver.

Inflammation of the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that lies beneath the liver on your right side. It stores bile, which is a fluid produced by the liver to help to digest fats.

Gallstones in the gallbladder.

A viral disease that leads to inflammation of the liver. Chronic hepatitis C can cause cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.

An ongoing or repeated inflammation of the pancreas. Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic. Acute pancreatitis occurs as one sudden episode. After acute pancreatitis the pancreas usually returns to its normal condition. Chronic pancreatitis means ongoing or repeated bouts of pancreatitis in which there is permanent damage to the pancreas. The damaged pancreas gradually becomes unable to produce normal digestive enzymes and insulin.

A liver disease caused by scarring of the liver over a long period of time (months to years).

A rare digestive disorder that primarily affects females and typically becomes apparent during middle age. The disorder is characterized by inflammatory changes of the mucous membranes (mucosa) of the colon (colitis) and abnormal accumulation (excessive deposition) of the protein collagen beneath the surface (epithelial) layer of the mucosa (thickened subepithelial collagenous bands). The colon is the major portion of the large intestine. The medical literature often refers to collagenous colitis as a form of "microscopic colitis," since evidence of inflammation and other abnormalities may only be confirmed through microscopic (i.e., histologic) examination of multiple tissue samples.

An abnormal growth of cells in the colon or rectum. The growth of cells is called a malignant tumor. The colon and rectum are sections of the large intestine, also called the large bowel. The colon is the first part of the large bowel. The rectum is the last few inches of the large bowel. The rectum is at the end of the colon and just above the anus.

It is important to diagnose and treat colon or rectal cancer as soon as possible. If not treated, the cancer can spread through the bowel wall to lymph nodes and the bloodstream and to other parts of the body. The large intestine is one of the 4 most common sites for cancer to occur. Another term for this type of cancer is colorectal cancer.

A condition that occurs during embryonic development in which the normal tubular shape of the colon in the fetus is unexpectedly closed. Surgery is necessary to open or remove the closed area and re-connect the normal sections of the colon.

A colonoscopy enables your doctor to examine the lining of your colon (large intestine) for abnormalities by inserting a flexible tube as thick as your finger into your anus and slowly advancing it into the rectum and colon. 

Having a bowel movement fewer than 3 times a week. The bowel movements are usually hard, dry, and small in size.

An inflammation of the intestines (bowel). It can affect the part of the small intestine called the ileum, the large intestine (colon), or both. It is a life-long condition, but it may come and go. Sometimes you have symptoms and sometimes you don't.

The disease causes swelling, redness, even sores (ulcers) in the intestines. These ulcers can create a hole in the wall of the intestine. Both the swelling and scar tissue from the sores can block the passage of food through the intestines.

Frequent loose bowel movements. Diarrhea is acute when it starts suddenly and clears up within a few days. Most people have diarrhea once in a while, usually after eating or drinking contaminated food or liquid or when they have stomach flu.

Diarrhea that doesn't go away after a few days or keeps coming back is called chronic. It may be a sign of other medical problems.

Diarrhea can be serious in very young children and older adults because it can cause dehydration (a loss of too much fluid from the body).

A problem that can happen if you have diverticula in your intestine. Diverticula are tiny pouches or weak areas that bulge out from the lining of the wall of the intestine. They look like small thumbs poking out of the side of the bowel. When you have diverticula in your intestines, it is called diverticulosis. When these pouches become inflamed, it is called diverticulitis. You are more likely to have these pouches as you get older.

A condition that develops when pouches (diverticula) form in the wall of the colon (large intestine). These pouches are usually very small (5 to 10 millimeters) in diameter but can be larger.

An ulcer in the lining of the first part of the small intestine (duodenum).

A common condition and usually describes a group of symptoms rather than one predominant symptom. These symptoms include nausea, loss of appetite, heartburn and burping up food or liquid (regurgitation).

Difficulty swallowing is also called dysphagia. It is usually a sign of a problem with your throat or esophagus—the muscular tube that moves food and liquids from the back of your mouth to your stomach. Although dysphagia can happen to anyone, it is most common in older adults, babies, and people who have problems of the brain or nervous system.

There are many different problems that can prevent the throat or esophagus from working properly. Some of these are minor, and others are more serious. If you have a hard time swallowing once or twice, you probably do not have a medical problem. But if you have trouble swallowing on a regular basis, you may have a more serious problem that needs treatment. 

Flow of the stomach’s contents back up into the esophagus.

Bleeding of enlarged veins, or varices, in the digestive tract (variceal bleeding).

Having a bowel movement fewer than 3 times a week. The bowel movements are usually hard, dry, and small in size. 

An abnormal passageway between two areas of the digestive tract. An internal fistula occurs between two areas of intestine or an area of intestine and another organ. An external fistula occurs between the intestine and the skin. Both internal and external fistulas may be characterized by abdominal pain and swelling. External fistulas may discharge pus or intestinal contents. Internal fistulas can be associated with diarrhea.

Gas (flatus) is made in the stomach and intestines as your body breaks down food into energy. All people pass gas, some people more than others. It is normal to pass gas from 6 to 20 times per day. 

Abnormal growths found on the mucosal lining of the stomach.

A stomach ulcer, also called a gastric ulcer, is a raw area or open sore in the lining of the stomach

Characterized by many inflamed lesions in the mucous lining of the stomach. It may be a transitory or a chronic condition lasting for years. The erosive form can wear away the stomach lining. 

A general term for inflammation of the stomach due to the accumulation of inflammatory cells in the inner wall (mucosa) of the stomach resulting in abnormally large, coiled ridges or folds that resemble polyps in the inner wall of the stomach (hypertrophic gastric folds). GHG encompasses a collection of disorders. The symptoms of GHG may vary from case to case. The exact cause of GHG is unknown.

An inflammation of the stomach lining.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare digestive disease characterized by the presence of a particular type of white blood cell (eosinophils) in one or more of the three layers that make up the lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestines, and large intestines.

Also called delayed gastric emptying, is a disorder in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents. Normally, the stomach contracts to move food down into the small intestine for digestion. The vagus nerve controls the movement of food from the stomach through the digestive tract. Gastroparesis occurs when the vagus nerve is damaged and the muscles of the stomach and intestines do not work normally. Food then moves slowly or stops moving through the digestive tract.

Irritation of the rectum from diarrhea or constipation, a small hemorrhoid, or an anal fissure can cause a small amount of bright red blood on the surface of the stool or on the toilet paper. Hemorrhoids and anal fissures usually occur after straining during a bowel movement because of constipation. This type of bleeding can cause pain during a bowel movement and does not make the toilet water bloody. It is not serious if there is only a small amount of blood and the bleeding stops when the diarrhea or constipation stops. Home treatment is usually all that is needed.

Bleeding can occur anywhere in the digestive tract. The blood is digested as it moves through the digestive tract. The longer it takes the blood to move through the digestive tract, the less it will look like blood. Often blood that is caused by bleeding in the stomach will look black and tarry. A tarry stool has a black, shiny, sticky appearance and looks like tar on a road. Blood that has moved quickly through the digestive tract or that begins near the rectum may appear red or dark red.

A buildup of bilirubin in the blood. Caused by lack of a liver enzyme needed to break down bilirubin and causes jaundice. 

A feeling of burning, warmth, heat, or pain that often starts in the upper abdomen just beneath the lower breastbone (sternum). This discomfort may spread in waves upward into your throat, and you may have a sour taste in your mouth. Heartburn is sometimes called indigestion, acid regurgitation, sour stomach, or pyrosis. It is not caused by problems with your heart, although sometimes heart problems can feel like heartburn.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacteria that can cause stomach irritation (gastritis), heartburn, nausea and bloating (dyspepsia), and ulcers in the stomach and intestine.

Pylori appears to be a factor in the development of stomach cancer. However, most people with H. pylori do not get stomach cancer.

The vomiting of blood. The source is generally the upper gastrointestinal tract.

A disease that causes iron deposits to build up throughout the body. The buildup of iron can severely damage or destroy organs. If the disease is detected early, it can be treated and the damage prevented.

Swollen veins in the anal canal. This common problem can be painful, but it's usually not serious.

A virus that can infect the liver. In most cases, the infection goes away by itself and doesn't lead to long-term liver problems. In rare cases, it can be more serious. Hepatitis A is the most common type of Hepatitis.

A viral infection of the liver. The liver becomes inflamed and tender. It may also become swollen. Areas of liver tissue may be destroyed by the inflammation. Hepatitis B is a serious, sometimes severe and even fatal type of hepatitis.

A viral infection of the liver. The liver becomes inflamed.

Happens when part of your stomach bulges up through the diaphragm and into your chest. The diaphragm is a sheet of muscle that separates your belly (abdomen) from your chest.

The hernia bulges through the diaphragm at a place called the hiatus. This is the opening in the diaphragm that the esophagus passes through. The esophagus is the muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach.

There are three main types of hiatal hernia: sliding, paraesophageal, and mixed. Most people who have a hiatal hernia have a sliding hiatal hernia.

An inflammation of the voice box, or larynx ("LAIR-inks"), that causes your voice to become raspy or hoarse. Laryngitis can be short-term or long lasting (chronic). Most of the time, it comes on quickly and lasts no more than 2 weeks. Chronic symptoms are those that last 2 weeks or longer. 

A congenital abnormality in which the anorectal region is abnormal or incompletely developed. In some cases, the rectum may end and not connect with the anus, or it may connect in the wrong spot. For example, it may connect to the urethra, bladder, or vagina. In other cases, the anus may be very narrow or missing altogether. The result is that stool cannot pass out of the colon. Imperforate anus occurs in about 1 in 5,000 infants.

Swelling and irritation of the esophagus caused by fungi, yeast, viruses, and bacteria, which can all trigger the condition. You are more likely to develop it if your immune system is weakened.

A bowel obstruction happens when either your small or large intestine is partly or completely blocked. The blockage prevents food, fluids, and gas from moving through the intestines in the normal way. The blockage may cause severe pain that comes and goes.

A disease that causes iron deposits to build up throughout the body. The buildup of iron can severely damage or destroy organs. If the disease is detected early, it can be treated and the damage prevented.

A problem of the large intestine (colon). IBS can be very painful. But it does not hurt the intestine or cause death.

Occurs when blood flow to part of the large intestine (colon) is reduced due to narrowed or blocked blood vessels (arteries). The diminished blood flow provides insufficient oxygen for the cells in your digestive system. It can cause pain and can damage your colon. Ischemic colitis can affect any part of the colon, but most people experience pain on the left side of the belly area.

Trouble digesting milk and milk products. The condition is most common among Asians, American Indians, Mexican Americans, and African Americans. It is also a more common problem as people get older.

If the bowel does not rotate completely during embryonic development, problems can occur. This condition is called malrotation. Normally, the cecum is located in the lower right part of the abdomen. If the cecum is not positioned correctly, the bands of thin tissue that normally hold it in place may cross over and block part of the small bowel.

Also, if the small bowel and colon have not rotated properly, the mesentery may be only narrowly attached to the back of the abdominal cavity. This narrow attachment can lead to a mobile or floppy bowel that is prone to twisting, a disorder called volvulus.

Malrotation is also associated with other gastrointestinal (GI) conditions, including Hirschsprung’s Disease and bowel atresia.

Malrotation is usually identified in infants. About 60 percent of these cases are found in the first month of life. Malrotation affects both boys and girls, although boys are more often diagnosed in infancy.

Blood in the stool.

A rare digestive disorder that primarily affects females and typically becomes apparent during middle age. The disorder is characterized by inflammatory changes of the mucous membranes (mucosa) of the colon (colitis) and abnormal accumulation (excessive deposition) of the protein collagen beneath the surface (epithelial) layer of the mucosa (thickened subepithelial collagenous bands). The colon is the major portion of the large intestine. The medical literature often refers to collagenous colitis as a form of "microscopic colitis," since evidence of inflammation and other abnormalities may only be confirmed through microscopic (i.e., histologic) examination of multiple tissue samples.

A sick feeling in the pit of your stomach. When you are nauseated, you may feel weak and sweaty and have too much saliva in your mouth. You may even vomit. This forces your stomach contents up your esophagus and out of your mouth. Most of the time, nausea and vomiting are not serious. Home treatment will often help you feel better.

Abnormal cell growth starts to form tumors in the pancreas, a small organ located deep in the belly, behind your stomach.

There are two main types of pancreatic tumors: exocrine and endocrine. The type of tumor depends on which type of cells are involved. Exocrine ("EX-oh-krin") cells make digestive juices. Endocrine ("EN-doh-krin") cells make insulin. Most people with pancreatic cancer have exocrine tumors, which grow faster than endocrine tumors.

Inflammation of the pancreas, an organ in your belly that makes the hormones insulin and glucagon. These two hormones control how your body uses the sugar found in the food you eat. Your pancreas also makes other hormones and enzymes that help you break down food.

Irritation of the pancreas that can make it stop working.  Most often caused by gallstones or alcohol abuse.

Colonic polyps are growths of tissue that project from the lining of the colon (a section of the large intestine) into the space inside the bowel. Polyps may also occur in the rectum, another section of the large intestine.

A type of porphyria in which affected individuals are sensitive to sunlight. Exposed skin shows abnormalities that range from slight fragility of the skin to persistent scarring and disfiguration. Due to fragility of the skin, minor trauma may induce blister formation. Areas of increased and decreased pigment content may be noted on the skin. Blistering of light exposed skin and increased hair growth are also characteristic.

PCT is caused by a deficiency of the uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (URO-D) enzyme in the liver. The disorder can be acquired or can be caused by an inherited gene mutation in the UROD gene. The inherited form of PCT is also called familial PCT and follows autosomal dominant inheritance. Many individuals with a UROD gene mutation never experience symptoms of the disease.

PCT becomes active and causes symptoms when triggered by an environmental factor that affects liver cells (hepatocytes). These environmental factors include alcohol, estrogens, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV). Individuals who have disorders that lead to excess iron in tissues such as hemochromatosis also have an increased risk of developing PCT. It is usually necessary for an environmental trigger to be present to cause symptoms of either the acquired or inherited type of PCT.

A kind of cirrhosis caused by damage to the bile ducts in the liver. Much like other forms of liver disease, PBC permanently damages the liver as tissue is replaced with scar tissue (fibrosis). As more scar tissue develops, the structure and function of the liver are affected.

A rare progressive disorder characterized by inflammation, thickening, and abnormal formation of fibrous tissue (fibrosis) within the passages that carry bile from the liver (bile ducts). This often results in the obstruction or interruption of bile flow from the liver (cholestasis). Symptoms associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis include fatigue and itching (pruritis), followed by yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and whites of the eyes (jaundice). In addition, affected individuals may have dark urine, light-colored stools, abdominal pain, and/or nausea. In some cases, the liver may also become abnormally enlarged (hepatomegaly). The exact cause of primary sclerosing cholangitis is not known.

Severe irritation of the colon. Caused by Clostridium difficile bacteria. Occurs after oral antibiotics, which kill bacteria that normally live in the colon.

The presence of blood on or in a bowel movement, on the toilet tissue after wiping, or in the toilet bowl water. It is a common problem for people of all ages.

Irritation or inflammation of the esophagus. The esophagus is the muscular tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach. Esophagitis can be painful and can make it hard to swallow.

A screening test to look into the rectum and colon. The doctor uses a long, flexible, narrow tube with a light and tiny lens on the end called a colonoscope.

The sigmoid is the last section of the colon. Two anatomic differences can increase the risk of sigmoid volvulus. Once is an elongated or movable sigmoid colon that is unattached to the left sidewall of the abdomen. Another is a narrow mesentery that allows twisting at its base. Sigmoid volvulus, however, can occur even without an anatomic abnormality.

Intussusception is a condition in which one section of the bowel tunnels into an adjoining section, like a collapsible telescope. Intussusception can occur in the colon, the small bowel, or between the small bowel and colon. The result is a blocked small bowel or colon.

A disorder of excessive bacterial growth in the small intestine.

Also called gastric cancer, is the abnormal growth of cells in the inner lining of the stomach.

Also called a gastric ulcer, is a raw area or open sore in the lining of the stomach.

A narrowing of the esophagus often caused by acid flowing back from the stomach.

An inflammation in the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum.

The twisting of a protein or the intestine around itself or a stalk of mesentery tissue to cause an obstruction. Volvulus occurs most frequently in the colon, although the stomach and small bowel can also twist. The part of the digestive system above the volvulus continues to function and may swell as it fills with digested food, fluid and gas. A condition called strangulation develops if the mesentery of the bowel is twisted so tightly that blood flow is cut off and the tissue dies. This condition is called gangrene. Volvulus is a surgical emergency because gangrene can develop quickly, cause a hole in the wall of the bowel (perforation), and become life threatening.

The release of stomach contents through the mouth.

Pouches in the esophagus from increased pressure in and around the esophagus.